Abstract
This study examined the anatomical features of Anacardiaceae from Malaysia. A total of 31 species from 13 genera of the family Anacardiaceae in Malaysia were obtained from Kepong Xylarium (KEPw), Forest Research Institute Malaysia. The genera in Anacardiaceae were distinguished based on anatomical features. The diagnostic anatomical features that were used to separate the genera are scalariform perforations plates present in Campnosperma, larger rays in Pentaspadon and Spondias, and radial canals in some genera. Mineral inclusion, i.e., crystals and silica also could be diagnostic features to distinguish the genera in Malaysian Anacardiaceae; silica was observed in Gluta, Parishia, and Swintonia. Anatomical features could be used as indicators to the other wood properties and lead to potential usage of timber in Anacardiaceae. However, the presence of druses in individual Toxicodendron succedaneum indicated its adaptation to the local microclimatic conditions.
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Wood Anatomical Features of Anacardiaceae from Malaysia
Nordahlia Abdullah Siam,a,* Nor Azahana Abdullah,b Mohd Khairun Anwar Uyup,a Che Nurul Aini Che Amri,b Muhammad Amirul Aiman Ahmad Juhari,c and Noraini Talip d
This study examined the anatomical features of Anacardiaceae from Malaysia. A total of 31 species from 13 genera of the family Anacardiaceae in Malaysia were obtained from Kepong Xylarium (KEPw), Forest Research Institute Malaysia. The genera in Anacardiaceae were distinguished based on anatomical features. The diagnostic anatomical features that were used to separate the genera are scalariform perforations plates present in Campnosperma, larger rays in Pentaspadon and Spondias, and radial canals in some genera. Mineral inclusion, i.e., crystals and silica also could be diagnostic features to distinguish the genera in Malaysian Anacardiaceae; silica was observed in Gluta, Parishia, and Swintonia. Anatomical features could be used as indicators to the other wood properties and lead to potential usage of timber in Anacardiaceae. However, the presence of druses in individual Toxicodendron succedaneum indicated its adaptation to the local microclimatic conditions.
DOI: 10.15376/biores.18.1.1232-1250
Keywords: Anatomical features; Anacardiaceae; Potential usage; Wood identification
Contact information: a: Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109 Selangor; b: Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200 Pahang; c: Faculty of Forestry and Environment, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 Selangor; d: Faculty of Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600 Selangor;
* Corresponding author: nordahlia@frim.gov.my
INTRODUCTION
The importance of wood anatomical studies has been demonstrated in the classification and identification of plants based on certain diagnostic characteristics (Carlquist 2001; Akinloye et al. 2012; Macedo et al. 2014; Elamin 2018). Wood is identified by examining its anatomical features to determine its species, genera, or family. It is a necessary requirement to know the exact species, genera, or family in trade, customs, construction, and scientific research to avoid disputes in pricing, taxation, strength performance, and biological characteristics (Wheeler and Baas 1998; Lim et al. 2016). Wood identification is also important in forensics, archaeology, and paleontology (Wheeler and Baas 1998). There are several methods used to identify wood. Observation of the cross section of the wood using a hand lens of 10x magnification is sufficient. However, for timber groups that do not have distinct features, it is necessary to observe their microscopic features. Other important physical features, including colour, density, hardness, texture, grain, figure, and odour, are also useful in wood identification (Menon et al. 1993; Wheeler and Baas 1998; Nordahlia and Lim 2016).
Generally, anatomical features are used as indicators of wood properties (Bowyer et al. 2003; Dewi and Supartini 2017; Noraini et al. 2019). Toong et al. (2014) and Zhang et al. (2020) found that the anatomical features namely, vessel diameter, fibre length, fibre wall thickness, ray width, and ray height determine the properties of wood. However, Wang et al. (2021) stated that vessel diameter and fiber wall thickness were the key factors affecting wood density. According to Sint et al. (2011), medium to large vessel size, absence of tyloses, and deposit in vessels resulted in the easy treatment of the wood.
The suitability of the timbers can be predicted from the anatomical features. Hamdan et al. (2020) showed that timber with the thinnest fibre wall is usually related to a lower density and strength, which means that the timbers are suitable for general utility usage but not heavy-duty use. This is in line with the study by Phongkrathung et al. (2016) and Elamin (2018), who also reported lower density due to thin fibre wall that make the timbers of Spondias suitable for agricultural utensils, whilst timbers of Lannea are used for packaging boxes. Fibre morphology is used also as an indicator on the suitability of timber for pulp and paper products (Dewi and Supartini 2017). Adeniyi et al. (2013) found that the absence of tyloses and deposits made the timbers suitable for plywood.
Wood anatomy also is very important as an indication of ecological adaptation. Faheed et al. (2013) and Gupta et al. (2017) observed that crystals are an indication of the response of the plant to their habitat. Marcati and Veronica (2005) indicated that the abundance of crystals is a response to a drought habitat. Similarly, Azahana et al. (2020) noted that crystals in Pandanus are important anatomical adaptations of the plant to alkaline soils.
The Anacardiaceae consists of 80 genera and 600 species of trees, shrubs, woody climbers, and herbs occurring mostly in the tropical and subtropical regions (Dong and Baas 1993; Ogata et al. 2008). The wood anatomical features of Anacardiaceae were studied and described by Dadswell and Ingle (1948) and Ogata et al. (2008). These authors reported vessel perforations exclusively simple in most genera, but scalariform in Campnosperma, intervessel pits and vessel-ray pits were large in size. The rays of Anacardiaceae generally are not very large with 1 to 3 cells in width, whereas larger rays were found in the species with radial canal. Axial parenchyma in Anacardiaceae was vasicentric, aliform, and sometimes in bands. Septate fibres, radial canals, and mineral inclusion, which was crystals and silica, were observed in some genera. According to Dong and Bass (1993) the family Anacardiaceae is of considerable economic value that produces of edible fruits, gum, resins, tannins, dyes, drugs, and timbers of commercial importance. Many of the plants of this family are poisonous and cause bad skin allergies (Ogata et al. 2008).
The previous study on the wood anatomy of the Anacardiaceae was carried out by many researchers that covers various important scopes such as the relationship with wood properties, potential products, wood identification, wood classification and the impact on the environment (Ogata et al. 2008; Dong and Baas 1993; Phongkrathung et al. 2016; Gupta et al. 2017). Ogata et al. (2008) and Dong and Baas (1993) studied wood anatomy for the purpose of wood identification and classification in the Anacardiaceae family. Phongkrathung et al. (2016) reported that wood anatomy is related with other properties in the study of the genus Spondias. Gupta et al. (2017) also found that the wood anatomical features of Mangifera are affected by the environment. According to Wong (2019), the most notorious timbers from the family Anacardiaceae in Malaysia are Gluta or its Malaysian trade name is rengas. These produce highly decorative timbers. Other timbers from Anacardiaceae in Malaysia are sold as mixed species or used as general utility timbers due to a lack of information for identification and wood properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the wood anatomical features of Anacardiaceae from Malaysia. Further, this anatomical data was used for wood identification, classification, and as an indication of other important wood properties that can lead to potential and suitable utilisation of the timbers in Anacardiaceae.
EXPERIMENTAL
Studies on the wood anatomical features were carried out on 31 species from 13 genera of the family Anacardiaceae in Malaysia. The authenticated wood samples were obtained from Kepong Xylarium (KEPw), Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Selected physical features were studied, including growth rings, ripple marks (present or absent), and density. These observations were made using a hand lens with 10x magnification. The density was determined using oven-dry weight and green volume (Wong 2019).
Microscope slides were prepared, according to Schweingruber et al. (2006) where wooden block of 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.5 cm was taken from each species studied and boiled in distilled water until they were well soaked and sank. A sledge microtome (Reichert, Vienna, Austria) was used to cut thin sections of between 15 and 20 µm from the transverse (TS), tangential (TLS), and radial (RLS) surfaces of each block. The thin sections were immersed in 1% aqueous Safranin-O (Sigma, New Delhi, India) for several minutes and dehydrated using alcohol series with increasing concentrations: 70%, 80%, 90%, and 95% (Merck, Selangor, Malaysia) until excess stains were removed. Clear the sections in clove oil and mount in Canada balsam (Merck, Darmsladt, Germany) and left to dry in an oven at 60 °C for a few days.
For maceration (Wheeler et al. 1989), wood samples were split into small matchstick size pieces and transferred into a test tube containing a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide and glacial acetic acid at a ratio of 1:1. The test tube was then heated in a water bath at 45 °C until the sticks turned silvery white. Distilled water was used to wash the softened sticks in order to remove the excess acid. The cleaned sticks were then shaken in distilled water to break up fibres. One or two drops of Safranin-O were added into the test tubes to stain the fibres for easy observation. Microscopic observations and measurement of the wood structure were carried out using a light microscope. Descriptive terminology and measurements follow the IAWA List of Microscopic Features for Hardwood Identification (Wheeler et al. 1989), Menon et al. (1993), Ogata et al. (2008), and Lim et al. (2016). Twenty-five readings were taken randomly for each species, for all the quantitative measurements.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Generic Wood Anatomical Descriptions
The images of wood anatomical features of the Anacardiaceae species are shown in Figs. 1 through 3. Wood anatomical and other selected physical features of these Anacardiaceae species are described for their identification and classification. Details of materials studied including species, specimen numbers, and locality are presented in the description. The Malaysian trade or common name of the timbers are given in parentheses.
Bouea Meisn. (kundang)
B. macrophylla Griff. (WT3683, WT3970, WT4468; Kelantan, Perak) and B. oppositifolia (Roxb.) Adelb. (WT7857, WT8117, WT8245; Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan) were examined (Fig. 1A, B, C). The wood was moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks were absent. Growth rings were present and marked by terminal parenchyma bands. Wood was diffuse-porous. Vessels were solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3; tangential vessel diameters ranged from 180 to 250 µm and 10 to 14 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates were simple. Intervessel pits were alternate, polygonal, and medium in size ranging from 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits were large, round, and gash-like. Tyloses were present and deposits absent. Fibres were non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occurring on the radial walls. Fibre length ranged from 880 to 1500 µm; thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric with irregularly spaced bands. Rays were 1 to 2 cells in width with height ranging from 700 to 1010 µm; there were heterogenous rays with procumbent and one row of upright cells. Radial canals were absent. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in procumbent, upright ray cells and chambered axial parenchyma. Silica was absent.
Buchanania Spreng. (otak udang)
B. arborescens Blume (WT5961, WT5962, WT6136; Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang), and B. sessilifolia Blume (WT4543, WT4576, WT8119, WT8167; Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan) were examined (Fig. 1D, E, F, G). Wood is light to moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary, in radial multiples of 2 to 5 or clusters, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 200 to 290 µm and 8 to 11 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 950 to 1450 µm, thin-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 1 to 3 cells in width and height ranges from 550 to 870 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in non-chambered axial parenchyma and fibre, two distinct sizes of crystals per cell was present in procumbent and upright ray cells. Silica was absent.
Campnosperma Thwaites (terentang)
C. auriculatum Hook.f. (WT2110, WT6610, WT6856, WT7380; Selangor, Perak, Terengganu, Pahang), C. coriaceum (Jack) Hallier f. ex Steenis (WT1577, WT3680, WT4797; Johor, Terengganu, Perak), and C. squamatum Ridl. (WT1633, WT3804, WT3870; Kelantan, Pahang, Perak) were examined (Fig. 1H, I, J). Wood is light to moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 100 to 170 µm and 15 to 18 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple and scalariform. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits absent. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1000 to 1800 µm, thin-walled. Axial parenchyma was absent. Rays 1 to 4 cells in width and height ranges from 300 to 800 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions which crystals and silica were absent.
Dracontomelon Blume (sengkuang)
D. dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe (WT2160, WT3696, WT3984, WT5091; Sarawak, Kedah, Pahang, Perak) was examined (Fig. 1K, L, M). Wood is moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 260 to 330 µm and 5 to 7 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 11 to 13 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses present and deposits absent. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1400 to 1900 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric and aliform. Rays 2 to 4 cells in width and height ranges from 850 to 1100 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row rows of upright marginal cells. Radial canals absent. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in procumbent, upright ray cells, non-chambered axial parenchyma and fibre. Silica was absent.
Gluta L. (rengas)
G. aptera (King) Ding Hou (WT1644, WT4622, WT4738; Pulau Pinang, Perak, Johor), G. curtisii (Oliver) Ding Hou (WT7462, WT7510, WT8174; Kedah, Johor, Selangor), G. elegans Kurz (WT1571, WT8247, WT8248; Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Kedah), and G. wallichii (Hook.f.) Ding Hou (WT1585, WT6562, WT8175; Johor, Selangor, Pahang) were examined (Fig. 1N, O, P). Wood is moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings present marked by irregularly spaced parenchyma bands. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 190 to 300 µm and 6 to 8 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 10–14 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses present and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 910 to 1500 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric and irregularly spaced bands. Rays 1 to 3 cells in width and height ranges from 300 to 760 µm, all ray cells procumbent, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with crystal was absent. Silica was present in ray cells.
Koordersiodendron Engl. ex Koord. (ranggu)
K. pinnatum Merr. (WT6271, WT6474, WT6979, WT7013; Sabah) was examined (Fig. 2A, B, C). Wood is moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels mainly solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 4, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 200 to 280 µm and 10 to 14 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 11–13 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses were present but deposits were absent. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1430 to 1600 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 2 to 3 cells in width and height ranges from 660 to 810 µm, body ray cells procumbent with 2 to 4 rows of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in upright ray cells, chambered upright ray cells and in enlarged cells (idioblast). Silica was absent.
Mangifera L. (machang)
M. foetida Lour. (WT2014, WT3874, WT3882; Johor, Pahang, Selangor), M. griffithii Hook.f. (WT3937, WT8133, WT8211; Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan), M. indica L. (WT6376, WT8147, WT8162; Melaka, Perak, Kuala Lumpur), and M. odorata Griff. (WT6401, WT8165; Selangor, Pahang) were examined (Fig. 2D, E, F, G). Wood is moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings present marked by irregularly spaced parenchyma bands. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 200 to 330 µm and 4 to 8 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 10–14 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 910 to 1250 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was aliform and irregularly spaced bands. Rays 1 to 2 cells in width and height ranges from 400 to 800 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals absent. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals were present in procumbent and upright ray cells. Silica was absent.
Melanochyla Hook.f. (rengas)
M. auriculata Hook.f. (WT1608, WT1629; Johor, Pahang), M. bracteata King
(WT3634; Selangor), and M. fulvinervia (Blume) Ding Hou (WT1620; Kelantan) were examined (Fig. 2H, I, J). Wood is moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 120 to 200 µm and 12 to 16 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses present and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1050 to 1650 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric and aliform. Rays 1 to 4 cells in width and height ranges from 400 to 760 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in procumbent and upright ray cells. Silica was absent.
Parishia Hook.f. (sepul)
P. insignis Hook.f. (WT8178, WT8180, WT9837; Kedah, Perak, Pahang), P. maingayi Hook.f. (WT2557, WT5680; Terengganu, Johor), and P. paucijuga Engl. (WT1563, WT1724, WT6817; Johor, Pahang, Selangor) were examined (Fig. 2K, L, M). Wood is light to moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels mainly solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 130 to 195 µm and 13 to 15 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1314 to 1646 µm, thin-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 1 to 5 cells in width and height ranges from 500 to 800 µm, body ray cells procumbent with 2 to 4 rows of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was absent. Silica was present in ray cells.
Pentaspadon Hook.f. (pelong)
P. motleyi Hook.f. (WT1605, WT2461, WT6613; Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Johor), and P. velutinus Hook.f. (WT2571, WT3444, WT9812; Kelantan, Pahang, Perak) were examined (Fig. 3A, B, C). Wood is moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 4, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 120 to 200 µm and 12 to 15 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits present. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1263 to 1550 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 2 to 6 cells in width and height ranges from 500 to 810 µm, body ray cells procumbent with 2 to 4 rows of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in procumbent and upright ray cells. Silica was absent.
Spondias L. (kedondong)
S. dulcis G. Forst. (WT7166, WT7935; Pahang, Perak) and S. pinnata (L.f.) Kurz (WT7934; Kedah) were examined (Fig. 3D, E). Wood is light. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings absent. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 4, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 250 to 340 µm and 5 to 8 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 11 to 14 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses and deposits absent. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1000 to 1800 µm, thin-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 2 to 6 cells in width and height ranges from 600 to 1010 µm, body ray cells procumbent with 2 to 4 rows of upright cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusion which crystals and silica were absent.
Swintonia Griff. (merpauh)
S. floribunda Griff. (WT1574, WT9877, WT9980; Kedah, Johor, Selangor), S. schwenckii (Teijsm. & Binn.) Teijsm. & Binn. (WT5064, WT7919, WT8253; Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah), and S. spicifera Hook.f. (WT7295, WT7441, WT7453; Perak, Pulau Pinang, Kedah) were examined (Fig. F, G, H). Wood is moderately heavy to heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings present marked by irregularly spaced parenchyma bands. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 220 to 300 µm and 4 to 7 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, large in size range of 12 to 16 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses present and deposits absent. Fibres non-septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 890-1500 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric and irregularly spaced bands. Rays 1 to 3 cells in width and height ranges from 400 to 760 µm, all ray cells procumbent, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals present in ray cells. Mineral inclusions with crystals was absent. Silica was present in ray cells.
Toxicodendron Mill.
T. succedaneum (L.) Kuntze (WT2295, WT2334, WT2418; Pahang) was examined (Fig. 3I, J, K, L, M). Wood is moderately heavy. Ripple marks absent. Growth rings indistinct, marked by fiber thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 3, tangential vessel diameters ranged from 140 to 200 µm and 12 to 15 vessels per mm2. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate and polygonal, medium in size range of 7 to 10 µm. Vessel-ray pits large, round and gash-like. Tyloses present and deposits absent. Fibres septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits mainly occur on the radial walls, fibre length ranged from 1230 to 1451 µm, thin to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma was vasicentric. Rays 1 to 3 cells in width and height ranges from 600 to 750 µm, body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells. Radial canals absent. Mineral inclusions with prismatic crystals was present in procumbent and upright ray cells. Silica was absent. Note: Present of druses in one slide (WT2418) of Toxicodendron succedaneum. The druses were present in the procumbent and upright ray cells. Besides, chambering was also observed in the upright cells, forming 2-3 chambers, occupied by solitary druse.
Classification and Identification
Based on the results shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3, the physical and anatomical features were consistent throughout the species in the genera of Anacardiaceae from Malaysia. Therefore, the wood identification and classification in Malaysian Anacardiaceae were performed at the genera level. This is in line with Barker (2005) who also reported wood identification to species level is often difficult and frequently impossible, and is generally accurate to genera level. Table 1 tabulated the selected physical features of the species in Anacardiaceae. Genera of Anacardiaceae could be classified into two groups based on density (Table 1) which were light to moderately heavy, and moderately heavy to heavy. Light to moderately heavy with thin fibre wall was observed in Buchanania, Campnosperma, Parishia and Spondias. Other genera of Anacardiaceae can be categorised as moderately heavy to heavy with thin to thick-walled fibre.
Wood anatomical features (Tables 2 and 3) in all species of Anacardiaceae are diffuse-porous, parenchyma vasicentric, aliform, some species with banded parenchyma, medium to the large size of vessels and inter-vessels pits. Large, round and gash-like vessel-ray pits in all studied species were observed. On the other hand, all species in Anacardiaceae characterised as narrow ray which is 1-3 cells in width except large rays in Pentaspadon and Spondias which were 2 to 6 cells in width. In terms of anatomical features (Tables 2 and 3), it shows diagnostic features to distinguish between the genera of Anacardiaceae. The presence of radial canals in the rays served as the most important characteristic for the delimitation of genera in Anacardiaceae. This feature can be observed in some genera of Anacardiaceae in Malaysia, i.e., Buchanania, Campnosperma, Gluta, Koordersiodendron, Melanochyla, Parishia, Pentaspadon, Spondias, and Swintonia. This is also confirmed by the previous study of Anacardiaceae (Pearson and Brown 1932; Menon 1971; Metcalfe and Chalk 1983; Dong and Baas 1993). The distribution of radial canals in rays among the genera of Anacardiaceae and their common occurrence in the related family of the Burseraceae suggests that they may be a primitive feature in the family which was subsequently lost several times during evolution (Dong and Baas 1993). Septate fibres could also be a diagnostic feature to distinguish the genera in Anacardiaceae, for which this feature was observed in Campnosperma, Dracontomelon, Koordersiodendron, Pentaspadon, Spondias, and Toxicodendron. A similar finding was also discussed by Menon (1971) and Ogata et al. (2008) in Anacardiaceae. Campnosperma could be easily identified from other genera in Anacardiaceae with the presence of scalariform perforation plates. The presence of this feature in Campnosperma was also reported by Menon (1971) and Ogata et al. (2008).
Table 1. Selected Physical Features of Anacardiaceae in Malaysia
Table 2. Anatomical Features of Anacardiaceae in Malaysia: Vessels and Rays
Note: A: aliform; B: banded; C: chambered axial parenchyma cells; CR: chambered upright ray cells; CWT: cell wall thickness; D: deposit; DR: druses; F: fibre; FL: fibre length; E: crystal in enlarged cells (idioblast); LRG: large, round, gash-like; I-V: intervessel pits; N: non-chambered axial parenchyma cells; P: procumbent ray cells; PC: prismatic crystals; P-P: perforation plates; Pr: all ray cells procumbent; PY: parenchyma; RC: radial canals; Ray CC: rays cellular composition; S: septate fibres; Sc: scalariform perforation plates; Si: Simple perforation plates; T: tyloses; TW: two distinct sizes of crystals per cell or chamber; U: upright ray cells, V:vasicentric; V-R: vessel-ray pitting, X: thin to thick-walled; Y; thin-walled; I: body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells; II: body ray cells procumbent with mostly 2-4 rows of upright marginal cells; +: present; -: absent
Table 3. Anatomical Features of Anacardiaceae in Malaysia: Fibres, Parenchyma, Radial Canals, and Mineral Inclusion
Note: A: aliform; B: banded; C: chambered axial parenchyma cells; CR: chambered upright ray cells; CWT: cell wall thickness; D: deposit; DR: druses; F: fibre; FL: fibre length; E: crystal in enlarged cells (idioblast); LRG: large, round, gash-like; I-V: intervessel pits; N: non-chambered axial parenchyma cells; P: procumbent ray cells; PC: prismatic crystals; P-P: perforation plates; Pr: all ray cells procumbent; PY: parenchyma; RC: radial canals; Ray CC: rays cellular composition; S: septate fibres; Sc: scalariform perforation plates; Si: Simple perforation plates; T: tyloses; TW: two distinct sizes of crystals per cell or chamber; U: upright ray cells, V:vasicentric; V-R: vessel-ray pitting, X: thin to thick-walled; Y; thin-walled; I: body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright marginal cells; II: body ray cells procumbent with mostly 2-4 rows of upright marginal cells; +: present; -: absent